Who am I?

My intentions are pure, my heart is seemingly right

Yet, Why do I return to my vomit?

Like a child desperate for attention, I repent of my sins

and promise to turn a new leaf. I feel satisfied with my

new state. I turn my attention to other things in hopes

of keeping my promise. At least for a while.

Then suddenly, the temptation rages, my flesh like a skilled

Hunter prompts me. I am being drawn to the bait:

Just one more time, everyone else is doing it. Who cares?

We each, our personal battles we must brave. But I

I give in to the lies, to the flesh, to the sin, I give in to death.

Why cant I be like the ant that prepares itself for the winter

While its still summer?

Why cant I be like a bird who prepares its nest far in advance?

Why cant I learn the ways of the faithful dog who remains true to

Its master? Help me because I have no idea.

But you, my refuge and my intercessor, are always faithful.

You were tempted just as I am, and yet, your ways are blameless

You love me for who I am: an unfaithful, un-trustworthy part of

Your creation. You seek me, even when I have no desire to return.

Your arms are always outstretched, at least for a while.

Who am I? Why am I the apple of your eye?

You alone know. But I will trust in you, over and over, until when I

Overcome, I will trace my roots back to you, and it’s going to be worth it.

It has to be.

Sincerely,
Akolade

It all depends on you

Where does life begin and where does it end? Does it start in the womb, does it start when the little brat just born starts crying? Or does it start from the earliest memory you had? I mean, really?

Where do friendships start, and where do they end?

When do we take the next step, and when do we need to let go?

Who are we? Why are we who we are? Why was I ever born? Does it matter whose family I was born in?

Why am I still alive? Why am I so happy? Why am I so depressed? Why?
So many questions, so little answers.

Consider the trees. They remain strongly rooted, yet their leaves sway whatever direction the wind blows. A tiny seed planted in fertile soil will in time become a giant tree. Yet, it is subject to its immediate environment. It is subject to nature.

I believe thats who we should be as humans. We should be strongly rooted in our faith, yet we should be flexible enough to withstand pressure and temptations without losing our bearings.

We are tiny plants, guided by our parents, by friends, by life, and by God. If we are planted in the right enviroments, we will grow into towering oak trees. Yet, change is imperative. There will always be a time of drought, a time to flourish, a time to laugh, a time to cry, a time to be wise, and a time to be foolishly wise! The Bible says "For every thing, there is a season."
We are also, like the plant, subject to our environment. If you grow up in a negative environment and stay in that environment, you will end up negative. We say, that as Christians, we have been given the power to change our worlds. but we cannot do this if we remain in negative environments. Ultimately, we will get affected by the negativism. Why do you think Jesus couldn't do much miracles in his hometown? Negativism.

It is imperative for us to impact our worlds. But a plant cannot grow much in a negative environment. However, if it is constantly watered, and fertilized, it may take longer, but it will eventually yield fruit. In essence, if an outside force changes its environmental conditions, it will flourish. Is this where God comes in? Or is it where our parents, or friends come in? Or is it a combination of both? I believe it is a combination of both. Before Adam could multiply, he needed a partner, and God gave him one. No man is an island, we need encouragement, support, and a shoulder to lean on in order to succeed. We must seek places where the conditions are right, we must seek friends who share our focus, we must seek ourselves, we must seek God, we must then help others seek themselves.

It is a process that we must be willing to endure, it is one in which we must be willing to sacrifice our time, effort, friends, and sometimes; lives. The journey to the promised land is not easy. It takes patience, effort and trust in God. A successful man is one that knows his purpose, is achieving his dreams, does not limit himself, and is reliant on God. Ultimately, the only thing stopping us from achieving our potential is ourselves. It is the choices we make on a daily basis. It is the decisions we make: the decision not to pray, the decision to remain in an infertile environment, the decision to have loser friends (lol), the decision to be focused, and goal oriented. It all depends on us. No matter who we are: christian or muslim, arab or jew, black or white, there is an underlying principle to success: it all depends on us. It is a choice God gave every single person. And that is what makes life so beautiful, yet so unattractive.

Sincerely,
Akolade